If your aging loved one is looking for an active and independent lifestyle, getting daily exercise is especially important! However, many seniors have some joint pain or mobility limitations that can make regular exercise very difficult.

So, what can these individuals do? Let’s take a look at some low-impact exercises that are easy for people with limited mobility to work into their daily routine!

Simple Walking

Believe it or not, even walking is a form of exercise. This basic way of getting around has low impact on the joints and is great for the body and the heart.

Even if your loved one is out of shape or not up for walking around much, you can help him or her get into the habit of walking over a few weeks. Just getting up to walk for as little as 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference.

Exercise While Sitting

Walking isn’t the best option for everyone! Seniors who rely on a walker or wheelchair to get around may struggle with even a short daily walk.

Don’t be discouraged! There are some great chair exercises that can be done while seated.

Start with some upper body chair exercises to strengthen the arms and improve upper body range of motion. Warm up with some simple arm stretches and shoulder circles.

Next, use some light weights or canned foods to perform some basic strength exercises. Pull the elbows back, weights in hand, and squeeze the shoulder blades to perform a seated row. After a few reps, move on to some slow shoulder rolls—make sure to hold onto those weights!

Finish the chair workout with some abdominal twists to work the core and stretch the back.

Swim

Swimming on its own is a great full-body exercise that’s well-known for being low impact. Make that water workout more intense and more interesting by mixing in some swimming exercises, too!

Stretch and strengthen the legs by using a kickboard or the side of the pool for some quick kicks or slow leg swings.

Limited mobility in the legs or hips? Try standing on the floor of the pool or treading water and doing some arm exercises like arm circles, curls or chest flies. Use water weights for even more of a workout!

Keeping your loved ones healthy and independent is our top priority at Executive Care of Freehold. Visit us online to learn more about our services!

Your loved one may suffer from mobility issues, either temporary or permanent ones. If those mobility issues seem daunting and like they will limit activity options, they don’t have to.

U.S. Census numbers report 47 million seniors living in our country, and this means that there are plenty of mobility issues being experienced. It was discovered in 2014 that 40% of those 65 and older have at least one disability. Of those, some two-thirds admitted to having issues with walking or climbing.

Just because your loved one has limited mobility doesn’t have to mean his or her fun comes to a halt.

Bringing Fun Back to Those With Limited Mobility

Mobility issues can be brought on by things like arthritis, stroke and injuries. Your loved one can turn his or her focus from mobility issues to getting back to fun with these ideas:

Scrapbooking. If your loved one has a collection of old family photos stored away in boxes at home, a scrapbook could be just the ticket. Your loved one will get to take a trip through memory lane and you can join in as he or she relives those excellent moments.

The great outdoors. Being outdoors can give anyone a mood lift, regardless of their age. Your loved one can enjoy the nice summer months from the safety of a shaded area, making sure he or she doesn’t get too overheated.

Exercise options. Just because his or her mobility may be limited, that doesn’t mean exercise stops being an option. Your loved one can enjoy chair exercises, chair yoga, and even focus on balance through walker exercises.

Bingo. It may seem stereotypical, but don’t count out the game of bingo! Not only is it a fun outing, but it’s also a way for your loved one to get some socialization in.

Embracing the creative side. It is known that depression and anxiety can be minimized by participating in creative activities like painting, drawing, crafts and sculpting. Fun, creative and engaging—you can’t go wrong there!

Your loved one can say goodbye to the downer days brought on by limited mobility in plenty of ways, especially through the ideas listed above.

Know that Executive Care of Freehold is always ready to step in and help make sure your loved one is leading the life he or she wants and deserves, right in the comfort of home. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about our in-home care services.

Those times spent outside enjoying the excellent summertime weather are something that benefits people of all ages, including seniors.

Your loved one may be reaping some benefits from time outside, but those high temperatures could have serious consequences for his or her health and well-being.

It is the changes in the body that come with old age that can make the heat so dangerous for the elderly. Not only are the physiological changes making it difficult to deal with the heat, but there can be underlying health issues at work or medications being taken that can make it harder for the body to control temperature and sweat.

When Heat Is Dangerous

Heat-related illnesses, encompassed under hyperthermia, do not only pose a serious threat to your loved one’s well-being, but can even become fatal in certain situations. These illnesses can include:

Heat stroke

Heat edema

Heat exhaustion

Heat syncope

Heat cramps

Some other varying health-related issues could increase the risk of hyperthermia, so be sure you are familiar with them as it could mean the difference between life and death. Some of these factors include:

Limiting time outdoors between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., prime heat times during the day, is a wise idea. You should also be sure your loved one isn’t using a fan as his or her sole cooling source and is spending enough time in air-conditioned areas.

An increase on water intake can be wise during the summer, with your loved one needing to remember to take a drink even when he or she is not thirsty. Take precautions, though, if he or she has medical issues or medications that call for fluid limitations and always consult with a doctor first.

These safety tips can help ensure that your aging loved one’s summer is one that is enjoyable, beneficial and safe.

The in-home care services provided by Executive Care of Freehold can work alongside you to ensure your loved one is leading a happy and healthy life throughout the summer and whole year! Contact us today to learn more about the help we can provide.

Decrease in falls. Seniors who exercise regularly are less likely to fall and injure themselves during routine activities.

Improvement in chronic conditions. Many who suffer from chronic illnesses, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and mental health issues find their symptoms to be more manageable after implementing a regular exercise routine.

Increase in strength. Muscles and nerves get stronger with regular use, making day-to-day mobility easier.

Psychological Benefits of Exercise

While there are definitely a ton of physical benefits to regular exercise, there are plenty of cognitive and mental benefits, too:

Improved focus. Not only is exercise a well-known deterrent to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, but it can also improve overall focus as well.

Recommended Exercises for Seniors

No matter what exercise your loved one chooses, it will offer benefits! So the important thing is finding an activity that’s enjoyable, since that makes it more likely to become a regular part of life.

At Executive Care of Freehold, we work alongside you to be sure your loved one is staying healthy and fulfilled in all aspects of life. Get in touch today to learn how our in-home services work.

Cognitive Activities Benefiting Seniors

Playing games and doing puzzles. If it works the brain, it’s a great activity. It has been found that playing games can help prevent Alzheimer’s. Games and puzzles are also excellent for socializing with family and friends.

Reading. Did you know that the Mayo Clinic found that reading books, in conjunction with other cognitive activities, can lead to a 50% decrease in the chances of developing dementia? That’s plenty of reason to keep your loved one actively reading.

Going back to school. Many colleges now offer scholarships, tuition waivers or discounts for seniors, so there’s no reason why the golden years can’t be added to by the occasional class.

Writing. This can help stimulate the areas of the brain that deal with thinking, language and memory.

Playing an instrument. Recent studies have found that seniors experience improvements in areas of the brain that control hearing, memory and hand movement after just four months of playing an instrument for an hour a week.

Socializing. Maintaining a social life can help fight off isolation and depression, and it also has been found to heal aging brains and keep them young.

Exercising. This not only helps the body physically, but it can also help the brain combat the effects of aging.

Stop Memories From Fading

It’s commonly assumed that memory fades with age, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are ways that memory can be strengthened for every age group.

Not getting the right amount of sleep does not allow the brain enough time to consolidate memory at night, which can leave the brain feeling “foggy.” Seven to nine hours of sleep is the amount experts recommend to keep our brain well-rested.

Boosting the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, berries and cherries, walnuts, cruciferous vegetables, and eggs can also prove beneficial to the brain and memory.

Making sure the mind stays active is essential in the golden years. The in-home care providers at Executive Care of Freehold can help make sure your loved one is keeping active—both mentally and physically.

Make sure the air conditioning is working properly in your loved one’s home. Air conditioning can be a lifesaver, especially on 80+ degree days. If your loved one does not have A/C, it may be wise to put in a window unit or find activities in the area that take place inside air-conditioned buildings.

It’s also important for your loved one to remain hydrated, so he or she should drink plenty of water. Low- or no-calorie sports drinks and juices are also ideal beverages for seniors, while soda, coffee and alcohol are not recommended.

Dangers That Come With High Temperatures

Seniors can be more susceptible to the dangers brought on by high temperatures. Reasons can include aging-related physical changes in the body, chronic health conditions and some side effects of some medications.

Reviewing the signs and symptoms of various heat-related health issues could be a lifesaver. While many heat-related illnesses can be taken care of on their own, there are some cases where a doctor’s help or hospitalization may be needed.

The in-home care services provided by Executive Care of Freehold can work alongside you to ensure your loved one is leading a happy and healthy life throughout the summer and whole year! Contact us today to learn more about the help we can provide.

]]>Locating Safety Hazards for Seniors Living on Their Own | Executive Care of Freeholdhttps://freehold.executivehomecare.com/locating-safety-hazards-for-seniors-living-on-their-own-executive-care-of-freehold/
Wed, 01 May 2019 14:12:18 +0000https://freehold.executivehomecare.com/?p=369

Ideally, it is the best scenario for most seniors to live at home, but without proper safety precautions, it can be difficult for that to remain a reality for them.

You can help make sure your aging loved one is able to safely stay in his or her own home by taking some time to identify and remedy safety hazards that may be present.

Locating Safety Hazards

Certain areas of the home pose a higher risk for falls and fires, which are two very serious safety hazards for seniors. Those areas are the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen, so you’ll want to focus your safety hazard search in those places.

Check to make sure there are not too many electric cords plugged into one socket or extension cord. You will also want to take the time to investigate the appliances and other electrical items in the home to make sure they are in good working condition and that their electrical cords undamaged

It is important that your loved one is aware of different ways to exit the home in case of a fire, making sure that there are at least two ways to get out. Make sure the batteries in the smoke detector are also being changed and tested regularly as well.

For the bathroom, it is a good idea to adjust the thermostat on the water heater so it stays at or under 120 degrees. Anti-scalding devices are also available for purchase that can be installed in sinks, tubs and showers that will recognize when the water is too hot and stop the flow.

Simple Safety Tips

Advance preparation for many possible situations can help to ensure your loved one’s safety.

Make sure a list of emergency numbers is kept by each phone or are added to the contact list in his or her cell phone. Those numbers should include:

911

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

Family members or friends to call in case of emergency

Healthcare provider’s office

It is also wise to make sure his or her home address is clearly visible from the street if there is ever a need for emergency responders to be called. You can install larger house numbers in metal or stickers to make them more visible and could also spray paint the house numbers on the street curb.

There can be many safety concerns for seniors living alone at home, but fortunately, we’re here to help address some of those concerns. Executive Care of Freehold provides a full range of in-home care services that can make life easier and safer for your aging loved one.

Salmon wrap made from canned boneless skinless salmon placed on a whole-grain wrap with avocado, tomatoes, greens and plain yogurt

Southwest omelet (ideal for breakfast or lunch)

Quinoa salad

Dinner:

Southwest chicken salad, made from boneless, skinless chicken breast that is cooked on a skillet with salsa

Beans and rice

Shrimp and fresh greens, made with sautéed fresh veggies and cocktail shrimp that has been purchased already peeled, cooked and chilled

Cooking can be made easier by taking the time to sit down with your aging loved one and making a meal plan for the week, being sure to write everything down.

It could become a family meal prep activity, where you help your loved one prepare meals for the week so all that is needed is to remove things from the fridge and simply eat or heat up and eat. Most importantly, vary up the menu items from time to time to make sure boredom doesn’t pop up.

Making sure that your aging loved one is getting the nutritional meals he or she needs doesn’t have to be a concern with the in-home care services provided by Executive Care of Freehold. If you would like to learn more about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us and get the conversation started.

Gone with the cold, and in with the warmer weather and blooming flowers—and with the springtime comes that tried and true tradition of spring-cleaning. There are plenty of ways seniors can participate in the spring-cleaning process.

Getting Started With Spring-Cleaning

One of the first goals of spring-cleaning can be going through and getting rid of clutter in the home. Organizing the clutter will not only help the home look better, but it is also beneficial for safety, as items that are scattered about could pose a tripping hazard.

Are there piles of stuff throughout the house? It doesn’t matter if those piles are organized, there’s no time like now to sort through them and decide what you still need and what can go.

Keep in mind that if it hasn’t been used in the past year, it’s likely that the item can be thrown out, donated or sold. This can include items like clothes, decorations, bedding and home décor.

The medicine cabinet is another part of the home that could benefit from a bit of spring-cleaning. There are many drug take-back days organized by various government agencies, including local, and also many online resources that can help you know how to properly dispose of medications.

If getting to a drug take-back day is difficult, your loved one can crush and pour pills/capsules into a sealable bag. That bag can then be filled with unappetizing materials like kitty litter, coffee grounds or dirt before being tossed out. The identifiable information on the packaging should be removed to help keep medical information private.

This is a task that can be a family job, as it could include important financial, health and other legal documents. Knowing how to quickly find and access your loved one’s info, such as a durable power of attorney or advanced health care directive, is vital and something that will help reduce stress and streamline the process in many scenarios.

Most importantly, any senior who is starting the spring-cleaning process should know and recognize his or her abilities and challenges. Some of the tasks may be difficult to pull off alone or could pose a risk of injury. There’s no shame in asking for help from family or utilizing in-home services.

Executive Care of Freehold can provide assistance through a variety of in-home care services, including those that help your loved one with tasks around the house. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about the services we offer!